Veronica Roth has written another novel that will be a hit with her fans. She leans on her usual subjects of reality with a  bit of weirdness thrown in, and the story picks up big time after the first 1/3 of the book. You might spend that time wondering if you missed a prequel. Would recommend for fans of Roth, fans of realistic scifi, and anyone who likes to follow influencers--Roth's fictional crew of "chosen ones" are the influencers of their world.

Thrilling, exciting new world from the author that gave us Divergent. I absolutely was hooked from the first page. The world building had me feeling as though I was there living in the pages. My only complaint was I found the novel more YA rather than New Adult. Otherwise great start to a new series that I am thrilled to read. Thank you to the publisher for granting my wish and allowing me to read this novel on NetGalley

The Chosen Ones by YA author Veronica Roth is being touted as her big foray into adult storytelling being previously known for her very popular YA "Divergent" series. Even though I had not read that series I was very anxious to read something by her in my constant search for another great author. So I am very grateful for receiving a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and the opportunity it afforded me.

That being said, it seems that what goes for an adult story, in Roth's estimation, is having characters who are not teenagers, that use a lot of profanity, drink, and have live-in boyfriends. I wasn't even a chapter into it before the F-bomb had been dropped several times.

This book picks up with the same characters as the Divergent series and I had no trouble understanding their back story because Roth is able to insert it quite easily within the contents of this one. It is many years later and our heroes are being acclaimed as heroes on the anniversary of dispatching the "Dark One" and saving the world. But being a hero has its drawbacks and each character is dealing with the trauma of the previous battle. And not very well. For instance, Sloane is now a messed up, pill-popper struggling to deal with (her version of) PTSD. But she and her friends soon discover that old "Dark" nemesis' don't just lay down and die that easily. 

But just because a character isn't an adult anymore, does not mean an author is ready to take on issues from an adult perspective. Issues like grief. (Hint. Hint) I felt like I was dealing with a situation of teenagers "playing house" and trying to get "dressed up in Mama's clothes."

Roth is a capable enough writer and the story bounces along at a quick pace too, but if she believes adulthood is living life at an R-rated level, I fear she is not there yet. I also feel bad for all the teenagers who will no doubt follow their beloved characters into this story and come to believe that these various elements are what make someone a grown-up. Veronica Roth just isn't ready to depict life, with a capital L. But she has time to grow too, so maybe next time. 

I didn't come across any graphic sexual content, but neither did I finish this book. So also take note of that fact when you see the stars rating I gave it. 

I hope my comments help. Thank you for reading another of my reviews.

Sincerely, Laura-Lee

I had loved Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth, and I don't know if any other book will outpace it in my Sci-fi fav, But nevertheless, Chosen Ones was also an enjoyable read, To be honest, I didn't feel like it to be any better than Divergent but it was an okay-okay.

Thank you for granting me access to this book. I enjoyed it but it wasn't what I was looking for to include in my subscription box.

This book - was more than a nice surprise.
It was everything I didn't know I needed at that moment. And to my relief, it was nothing like the Divergent series (which I loved, but destroyed me for some time.) I fell into the story right away, and even though it's a dark tale with a lot of bloody details, I loved every single second in it.

Chosen Ones is a Chimaera between Fantasy and Science Fiction, two of my favorite Genres, and therefore was utterly perfect for me. Speaking about perfect: Thank for a character like Sloane. A female Anti Hero. A dark Godess. A human being that wronged others and still carries the burden. I loved her for her sassy and bold behavior from page one on.

Coming to Mox, who I also loved from his first page on, even when we didn't know if he was good or bad. He was such a complex and great character, that I completely lost myself in him and his raw magic. He reminded me a bit of Leigh Bardugos Darkling.

Coming to the worldbuilding. Which was excellent and really - one in a million. the iodeas that hovered in the air here were absolutely stunning, unique, and super exciting to read about. I've never read a book like this one and would like to read it all over again now. I felt the humming of magic in my bones while reading and devoured the book in one session, that left me breathless and full of dark feelings and love for the Story of the Chosen Ones. I know I just said a lot, while not saying anything, but I just don't want to spoil the experience to you. Just let me tell you, that the writing style here is unique, gritty, and dark and you'll love it!

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I found it really slow. I am really surprised as I expected to love this but unfortunately it fell so flat for me. I wasn’t keen on the writing style or the characters. I’m disappointed but I’m glad I read it.

This was a really incredible adult fantasy book that I truly enjoyed from the very start and never wanted to put down. I also really love the cover of this book and the overall idea of the story and the characters.

Several years ago, I read the Divergent series with my teenage son and found myself really drawn into the series.  I'm not typically a reader of sci-fi or futuristic novels, but Chosen Ones caught my attention from the very first chapter.  I'm not sure how the author manages to create these characters that I come to care about so quickly.  They are flawed and maybe not even people you would want to spend time with in real life, but I find myself rapidly turning pages to see what their future holds.  

The Chosen Ones is about five heroes that saved the world from the Dark One ten years ago when they were mere teenagers. Their whole lives have been defined by that journey and now we meet them 10 years later as they are still trying to figure out who they are.  The Chosen Ones - Sloan, Matt, Ines, Albie and Esther - have gathered again to celebrate the anniversary of the Dark One's defeat, when tragedy befalls one of their own.  This is the catalyst for an event that changes their lives forever.  The descriptions of the scenes and settings in this book are so well written that I could easily envision a movie adaptation.  I also really liked how the letters and memos were included. I felt that added another layer to the story.  I hope that the author revisits these characters and develops the series further because I wasn't quite ready to let them go.  

I received this book courtesy of John Joseph Adams/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having not read any of Veronica Roth's previous titles, I was cautiously optimistic going into Chosen Ones. I have seen her on author's panels and she is hilarious, witty, and extremely intelligent when it comes to the craft of writing.

Thank goodness I took a chance on this book.

Roth's Chosen Ones has everything that one would wish in a fantasy fiction book. Not only is it exciting and impulsively page-turning, it turns tropes on its head while delivering many hard-hitting truths about morality and good and evil.

I highly recommend this book for all ages.

This was a slow burn for me.  I loved the concept right from the start.  Let's find out what happens to the superheros AFTER the superheroing is over.  How do you go back to a normal life?  Answer: you don't.  I put the book down a few times, it took a bit for me to get caught up in the story.  The action didn't really start to ramp up until about a quarter through the book, but wow did it deliver!

The twist was very twisty!  I ended up liking this book so much more than I thought I would when I started.  Give it a chance, stick with it for a bit and you won't be disappointed.  The story goes in a completely different direction than I thought it would, and it's pretty hard to surprise me!  Definitely would recommend!

Another amazing book by Veronica Roth. Chosen Ones did feel more like a YA book, but that is ok by me. Can't wait for the sequel.

As much as I wanted to love this one, I just couldn't get into it. I think it's because it was a contemporary fantasy, whereas I'm more partial to more historical settings. I also did not care for the main character, and found her to be a bit of a whiner. However, I did love the interview/article style and Veronica Roth is no doubt a talented author. This will definitely go over well with those who are contemporary fantasy lovers or those who are interested in getting into contemporary fantasy.

Thank you to Veronica Roth, NetGalley, and John Joseph Adams/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very detailed world building.  Once you are able to really wrap your head around what's going on in this book, it's almost like you've been transported there.  I've always loved Veronica Roth, and this was just another reason to love her work even more.

Veronica Roth's Chosen Ones is a gripping blend of action and the exploration of who we are as individuals and survivors. A departure from her YA titles, Chosen Ones very quickly settles into the aftermath of surviving trauma and the renewed trauma of celebrity status and expectation. Deeply personal and at times dark, Roth explores her characters' perceptions of themselves and their struggle to reconcile with their past and futures as they engage in a battle meant to save their very existence. Roth asks the question, "When have I given enough?"

Highly enjoyed this one and will definitely add to collection and will be anxiously awaiting the sequel.

What happens to heroes after they save the world? How do they live normal lives after the evil is defeated, the battle is over, and there is no one left to fight? This premise intrigued me right off the bat. It’s such an interesting concept that I don’t think I’ve ever seen explored before (except maybe on Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.) I loved the Divergent series and I was super excited to see what Roth would do for an adult audience. While this book had a slow start for me, when it hooked me I was HOOKED! There was a fairly long training section that was less than thrilling but everything turned around with the introduction of one specific character. I’m not going to spoil anything for you but know that if you are struggling at the beginning of this book keep reading because it gets really, really good!

I’m generally not a fan of romance in my sci-fi/fantasy books. I want plot and action not characters making googly-eyes at each other. I was a little worried because the relationship in play at the beginning was of this variety and it was kind of dull and dispassionate. I did not like them together at all. I suppose it is a minor spoiler to say that this relationship is not endgame as it is quite clear that she doesn't really love him or want to be with him. The completely different relationship that develops in the second half though, holy moly I completely loved it. I NEVER love romances but this one was super-hot and exactly what I didn’t even know I wanted. It ended up being my favourite aspect of this entire book. I can't believe I just wrote that!

The resolution was strange and unexpected. I have no idea where the story can go from here but there is a sequel and I’m intrigued. Truly, I just want more of the couple and more sexy times and I’ll take it any way I can get it. I’m fully here for the next book to the point that I’m already stalking Veronica Roth’s Goodreads page and social media accounts. I'm also fan-casting the potential movie in my head (Marie Avgeropoulos and Adam Driver if you are curious.) Please movie/TV gods make this happen and then just take all my money!

Thank you to John Joseph Adams/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

Oof I have tried several times to read this book and I just can’t get into it. It’s very slow and my interest in it just keeps waning. I’m so sad because I really wanted to love this book. I will probably give it a few more chances before the next one comes out because I really hate not finishing a book.

4 stars

I really liked this book. Loved the character of sloane! It had a lot of architectural stuff in it which I could have done without but apparently that is veronica’s thing so whatever.  I feel like it could have been a one and done and hopefully it doesn’t go downhill like the divergent series did. Will definitely see where the next one goes. 

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one. Chosen Ones is wonderfully depicted. Sloane is a great heroine and the slow build up in the book is a nice change of pace from Roth's typical novels. I appreciated that she used language appropriate of the situations. Personal I'm team F-bombs when they're warranted and lets just say there were definitely situations where it was warranted. 
A great read in a new series and I look forward to the sequel.